This week saw the launch of the UK-IPO’s ‘Cracking Ideas’ project aimed at primary school children (aged between 9 and 11) and featuring the famous animated plasticine characters, Wallace and Gromit.

The educational website, www.crackingideas.com, which ties in with the National Curriculum, contains work schemes and lesson plans for use by teachers, activities for children, and a nationwide competition running from 4 June to 18 July for Year 5 students.

This new educational resource is part of a larger campaign by the UK-IPO intended to encourage more innovation and entrepreneurship in the UK.

In a press release about the launch on Monday 4 June, the UK Office announced figures that show 30 per cent of all UK patent applications are now coming from individual inventors. In total, more than 1800 individuals applied for a patent in the first three months of 2007, a higher rate than for previous years.

Speaking to IP Review Online yesterday, Miles Rees, Project Manager of ‘Cracking Ideas’ for UK-IPO remarked on this increase, stating that:

‘Public awareness has grown tied into broader programmes such as ‘The Dragon’s Den’. We are now trying to show people that invention and marketing are crucial, but they are useless you have a good idea.’

Talking about how the ‘Cracking Ideas’ came about and how Aardman animations became involved, he said: ‘We approached Aardman with a proposal to use Wallace & Gromit for a primary schools campaign. We already have a campaign aimed at 14-16 year olds called ‘Think Kit’, which has been requested by over 80% of secondary schools and has had a good response.’

He went on to say: ‘We’re not saying nine year olds will learn about intellectual property in detail, it’s more the respect aspect; alerting them to the idea of protecting their rights. The scheme includes the opportunity to meet real life inventors and inspire children.’

‘Long term we’re hoping the campaign will have a general influence on attitudes and perception. Our findings over the last year have shown that 90% of businesses didn’t know the value of their IP rights, which is an alarming statistic. 'Cracking Ideas' is a softer approach aimed at tomorrow’s inventors, but we’re hoping they will take their enthusiasm home with them and start to educate parents as well.’

The project has had enthusiastic backing from the government, and
Malcolm Wicks, Science and Innovation Minister, pictured above at Monday’s launch at Westbury Park Primary School in Bristol said:

 ‘Some of the big inventions we will see later this century may be in the minds and imaginations of young children today. Cracking Ideas is an effective way of engaging children in innovation, tied into the National Curriculum.’

Picture: copyright of UK-IPO

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